Teen creates viral TikTok Duet to help people with eating disorders

3 November 2020, 15:12

Teen on TikTok helps people with eating disorders by eating with them

By Jazmin Duribe

"I didn’t know how much I was helping – I watched almost all the duets and it brought tears to my eye. People were commenting, 'You saved my life.'"

Sara Sadok, 18, has gone viral on TikTok for her compassionate video helping people struggling with eating disorders or mental health issues.

Last month, Sara recorded herself offering to eat her breakfast (an iced coffee and pumpkin-spiced donut) with anyone watching in hopes of helping someone in need of some company. In the video, she said: "If you ever have a hard time sitting down for a meal, let's have a meal together. I'll take the first bite to make it a little less intimidating for you, and you can have your first bite after, okay?"

Sara then coaches the viewer and encourages them to eat more. She added: "I know that was hard and I'm really proud of you. Let's have our second bite together."

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Sara's efforts were praised and many commented that they'd found it incredibly helpful. According to mental health charity Mind, eating disorders aren't the only causes of eating problems. It can stem from other mental health issues like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or body dysmorphic disorder. Sara's video also touched people who did not have any problems eating, but were just feeling alone right now, especially because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Whilst it's important that people living with eating disorders and mental health issues seek help from a professional, Sara's video had a massive impact and soon people were duetting with her.

Speaking to BuzzFeed News, Sara said she doesn't have issues with eating herself but she was inspired to make the video because of a close friend who is struggling with her eating habits, but has not been officially diagnosed with a disorder.

She said: "I never suffered through eating disorders but I know someone who has. It was hard because they didn’t want to admit it but I knew. It was getting to the point where I really wanted to help. I decided one day ... let me try to post something. Subconsciously I was doing it for them and hoping they’d see it and it could help them."

Since making the video, Sara has received touching comments from people who have said she has helped them. She continued: "I didn’t know how much I was helping – I watched almost all the duets and it brought tears to my eye. I went live on TikTok and people were commenting, 'You saved my life.'"